Partnerships provide graduates with valuable hands-on training to better integrate into the Canadian workforce

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 16, 2014) -

Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced today a significant investment in job-related training for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at seven Canadian institutions. The nine research teams will develop training programs in a wide variety of fields, including aerospace, natural resource management, conservation, and information technologies. The programs will provide young researchers with training opportunities that will help them to make the transition from trainees to productive employees in the Canadian workforce.

Minister Holder made the announcement at McGill University, where Dr. Stephen Yue is developing a training program that will help make students industry-ready for careers in advanced aerospace manufacturing. The program is in collaboration with the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ) and the aerospace industry.

The funding comes from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through its Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) initiative. CREATE provides leading research teams in the natural sciences and engineering with the resources to implement an applied training environment that combines research knowledge and experience with the personal and professional skills needed in industry or government workplaces.

Quick Facts

NSERC is awarding $14.8 million for nine training programs that will help graduates acquire the skills they need for new careers in Canadian industries. Graduates who participate in these programs will become the next generation of aerospace engineers, conservationists and software developers.

Training programs are led by researchers who champion a teaching agenda that includes the personal and professional skills development necessary to succeed in the world outside academia.

CREATE emphasizes four priority areas:

Environmental science and technologies;

Manufacturing;

Information and communications technologies; and

Natural resources and energy.

CREATE recipients will receive support from industry to ensure science and engineering graduates receive hands-on training in industries related to their fields of study. Industry partners will provide students with a four-month internship that includes job shadowing and industry seminars.

Quotes

"Science can increase prosperity and improve the quality of life of Canadians. Through the CREATE program, our government is encouraging university-industry partnerships to ensure science and engineering graduates receive hands-on training in manufacturing, environmental science, natural resources and energy, information, and communications technologies. As a result, graduates will be better prepared to hit the ground running in exciting, innovative industries."

The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

"Our greatest asset for ensuring our future prosperity is our highly trained talent. CREATE's team-based approach to training provides graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with access to the knowledge and expertise of some of Canada's top researchers. At the same time, it provides them with important experiential learning opportunities. This strong combination readies our next generation for success as they embark on their professional careers."

NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators. The agency supports almost 30,000 post-secondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding approximately 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging over 2,400 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

Contact Information

Scott FrenchDirector of Communications and Parliamentary AffairsOffice of the Minister of State (Science and Technology)613-943-6177